Italy is in our DNA. We knew it the first time we set foot in this beautiful country all those years ago. Our grandparents were born here. It is a part of us. Having said that, we are born and bred American...raised in the suburbs of New York, in the most American of times...the 50's and 60's. Wewere raised on Italian-American diets of pasta several times a week, red meat the rest of the time. We have adapted our diets in response to warnings of the perils of red meat, but there are times when the “ red-blooded American” side prevails and the craving for a big juicy steak is undeniable. Italians eat their beef in very thin slices, and in small portions.....meat is not the centerpiece of their meals. Typically the Italian meal consists of pasta, a small serving of meat, a vegetable, bread, fruit and coffee.
So last week, I asked Bill what he wanted for his upcoming birthday. Without hesitation, he replied “a big hunk of beef!”For this birthday dinner, we returned to Viterbo, to a little osteria at the Enoteca La Torre. Bistecca was on the menu at 4euro/100 grams. But the smallest cut they could serve was 700 grams. Prepared to perfection.... it was enough beef for a week of birthdays.
